Rough hands stripped Rajab to the waist beneath the hot tropical sun, and his bronzed skin glistened with sweat but he knew it would be much worse far too soon. Within minutes a hemp rope was wrapped around his body and fastening him tightly to a pole. A crowd gathered ‘round, mocking and sneering.
“That’s what you get for being a traitor!” One yelled.
“A beating is too good for you!” A former friend snarled, and spat on the ground. Some picked up stones to fling at him, and no one stopped them.
“Joshua,” Rajab whispered. “Joshua.” He knew many hated their ruler and uprisings were constantly erupting but Rajab had remained loyal to the king. The more recent agitation was caused by the coming marriage of Prince Joshua. As one of the king’s employees, Rajab had went to a lot of effort to invite his neighbours and kinsmen to the wedding feast, but they wanted nothing, absolutely nothing to do with a foreign ruler, and were determined to set up their own government.
Tears sprung to Rajab’s eyes when the whip viciously curled around his back, but he did not recant. He believed that the king was a righteous and just ruler, and would not give in to the demands to stop supporting him. Finally the beating stopped, and he was untied. Rajab dropped limp and weak into the hot, dusty sand and endured a few nasty kicks but mostly they ignored him and went on their way. Just as he was drifting off to a pain-filled sleep a gentle hand rested on his shoulder and he was offered a cup of cold water. It was another loyal subject of the king.
Jesus is the King of Kings and wants to rule in your heart. Will you resist and rebel against His authority or renounce your faith in Him if the going gets tough?
How loyal are you?
Matthew 22...
Matthew 22...
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